ATHLETICS: East Coast AC weekly update

Bank Holiday Monday saw several East Coast AC members take to the start line of Northern Ireland’s largest running event, the Belfast City Marathon.

Peter McManus and Conor Sheridan took on the full 26.2 miles, while Karl Joyce, Gary McNeill, David Finlay, Mags Clements, Hannah Clements and Paul Clements took part in the popular relay competition.

Competing in his first ever marathon, McManus led the way with an impressive 4:01:15 finish. Conor, who was running alongside his girlfriend Rebecca Tester (Seapark AC), covered the distance in 6:07:00. Results for the Team Relay were not available at time of going to press.

The second event of the Firmus Energy Super 6 Series was held on Thursday evening at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast. A number of the club’s growing junior squad took part in the meet across a variety of distances and disciplines.

The evening kicked off with the Mini Girls’ 150m, which included 30 young athletes. Zoe Whitford was the first East Coast AC girl to finish, running 26.87 (17th), followed by Matilda Dean in 29.27 (26th). Next up it was the Under 13 Girls’ 200m track race which included Bradie Hogg, Charlotte Dean and Hannah Clements. Bradie secured 17th in 34.24, followed closely by Charlotte in 36.18 (18th) and Hannah in 21st (36.65). Bradie and Hannah went on to compete in the mixed Under 13 800m race with Bradie timing 2:54.28 to take third in the girls’ category. Hannah finished seconds later in 3:05.35 to take fourth place in the girls’ category. Kelly Patterson impressed in 31.27 for the Under 15 Girls’ 200m event which secured her 11th overall.

Charlie Patterson excelled in his events, taking two victories in the 600m and shot put. Inthe Mini Boys’ 600m race Charlie claimed first place in 1:57.75, almost six seconds clear of his nearest rival. Charlie’s Mini Boys’ shot putt (2kg) was just as impressive. He topped the field by throwing 6.76m - one metre longer than any other competitors.

In the other field events Kelly Patterson took ninth place in the Under-15 Girls’ shot putt, throwing 5.25m. On the javelin she threw 13.89m to claim seventh overall. In the long jump, Zoe Whitford took 15th place in the Mini Girls’ event when she jumped 2.46m.

On Sunday Adele Neill kicked off her triathlon season with a superb performance in the Liam Ball Triathlon. Adele not only won her category but narrowly missed out on a ladies’ podium spot by a mere four seconds, finishing in 1:12:52.